...random ramblings by me: Amy.

February 27, 2018

Hello everyone!! So last week Honey Bee Stamps released a bunch of fun new goodies - you can check them all out HERE <------click! I'll do a Release & Review video ASAP!

I love the two new critter sets - they're beyond adorable aren't they? I used the Penny the Platypus set for my card:

Isn't she the cutest thing ever? I stamped and masked the balloons from the set onto some Distress Watercolor cardstock and coloured them in with my three "go-to" Distress inks - mixing them to get the secondary colors to create a rainbow order.

I used Tonic's Nuvo Aqua Shimmer pen to add sparkle to all the balloons (SO pretty in real life). Penny was stamped onto Neenah Classic Crest Solar White 80lb card stock with MFT's Extreme Black ink and coloured in with Copic markers. The coordinating die set die cuts Penny AND die cuts around her hands so that you can tuck in the coordinating images - love that! I watercolored the present from the set and tucked that in so that she's holding it.

The sentiment is from the new Cheerful Sentiments stamp set - I heat embossed it with white embossing powder onto black card stock.

I finished off the inside of the card with more sentiments from the Cheerful Sentiments stamp set and that was it!

I get asked a lot about where to purchase the supplies I use in my videos and blog posts. I list all the supplies I use at the end of my posts (below) or in the description box directly below my video on YouTube. If the products have little icons below the image it means there's more than one place it can be purchased. You can hover over the icons and it will tell you what store that link will take you to. Compensated affiliate links used when possible at no extra cost to you. Affiliate linking is what keeps my blog and YouTube channel up and running and enables me to work from home with my kids! I appreciate your support more than words can say!

I occasionally receive product for free from stores/manufacturer with no obligation on my part to use/review - I only use and share what I personally love. Everything else I purchase myself!

February 26, 2018

Well hello everyone. I've been feeling a bit of the Monday blahs - however making this card certainly brightened up my mood LOL!

I hadn't had a chance yet to use the new Gansai Tambi Gem Watercolors so I pulled those out along with Simon Says Stamp's Floral Bliss stamp set (another one of my favourites). I stamped the large floral image twice onto black card stock and heat embossed it with silver embossing powder.

I used the Gem watercolors to color in the image - I LOVE how they look on black card stock!! Their color is so vibrant and when the light hits them they have an almost foiled look.

The die cut hello is a SSS exclusive by CZ Design - I die cut it from Magenta glitter card stock and stacked it with several die cuts from black card stock. The sentiment is from the CZ Design Hello You stamp set.

To finish off the inside of the card I stamped the floral image again - this time with Fog ink, then added a heat embossed sentiment from the CZ Design Simple Sentiments No. 1 set and that was it!

I get asked a lot about where to purchase the supplies I use in my videos and blog posts. I list all the supplies I use at the end of my posts (below) or in the description box directly below my video on YouTube. If the products have little icons below the image it means there's more than one place it can be purchased. You can hover over the icons and it will tell you what store that link will take you to. Compensated affiliate links used when possible at no extra cost to you. Affiliate linking is what keeps my blog and YouTube channel up and running and enables me to work from home with my kids! I appreciate your support more than words can say!

I occasionally receive product for free from stores/manufacturer with no obligation on my part to use/review - I only use and share what I personally love. Everything else I purchase myself!

Yeah - crazy busy week lol. I'll have videos coming to my blog and channel for the Honey Bee and MFT cards I've made (plus others I've filmed and haven't had a chance to edit yet) but for now how about a haul video?!

And here are the links to everything I showed/talked about in the video:

I get asked a lot about where to purchase the supplies I use in my videos and blog posts. I list all the supplies I use at the end of my posts (below) or in the description box directly below my video on YouTube. If the products have little icons below the image it means there's more than one place it can be purchased. You can hover over the icons and it will tell you what store that link will take you to. Compensated affiliate links used when possible at no extra cost to you. Affiliate linking is what keeps my blog and YouTube channel up and running and enables me to work from home with my kids! I appreciate your support more than words can say!

I occasionally receive product for free from stores/manufacturer with no obligation on my part to use/review - I only use and share what I personally love. Everything else I purchase myself!

February 22, 2018

Hello hello everyone! I was SO excited to be asked to take part in Waffle Flowers Spring 2018 release blog hop. Waffle Flower has some of the most unique/eclectic/adorable/etc images and wafer dies out there - I mean just look at their Spring release HERE <-------click!

There is just so much fun to choose from!!

Of course since this is a part of a blog hop there's fun GIVEAWAYS to be had! If you leave comments along all the stops on the hop today WaffleFlower will be choosing FIVE winners amongst the stops to receive $25 gift certificates! Winners will be chosen at random from the comments on the blog posts and will be announced on the WaffleFlower blog on 2/28/2018.

I couldn't decide which set to use of the four new "season" sets that are part of the Waffle Flower Big Bear & Bird Line - so I used all four and made 4 terrarium shaped shaker cards. One for each season:

I used Waffle Flowers A2 Nested Dome wafer dies to make the card bases (and they are actual side opening cards - I show it in the video). The largest die in the set is literally A2 size, so with the "handle" adhered to the top like this they're all slightly larger (more like 4.25 x 6" now). I wouldn't put a card like this in a standard A2 envelope regardless - I'd either pack it into a rigid-style mailer (that I'd pad around the card to protect it) or I would include this in a gift and/or hand deliver it. Or keep all 4 and frame them lol.

I created the "frame" to make these shaker cards by using the 2 largest dies from the A2 Nested Dome sets. I lined that with clear acetate and popped them on the card fronts with narrow foam tape.

For each card I used a different stamp set - this one uses the new Springtime stamp set. I stamped all the images onto Neenah Solar White Classic Crest 80lb card stock with MFT's Extreme Black ink then coloured them in with Copic markers. I used the coordinating die set to die cut all the images.

My second card uses the Summertime stamp set.

For all the bases I used Strathmore Bristol Smooth card stock and sponged different colors of Distress Inks on to the backgrounds. I used different colors for each card but kept the colors and sponging light as I just wanted the backgrounds to be more simple.

I used a combo of liquid adhesive and foam dots to adhere all the coloured and die cut images to create my scenes within their terrariums.

The bases and handles were die cut from Desert Storm card stock and sponged with Gathered Twigs Distress ink to bring out the embossed woodgrain.

For all the cards I added some Pretty Pink Posh 3mm Sparkling Clear Sequins - and only a few. I could have added tons as these are LARGE shakers and there was plenty of room, however that wasn't my goal with these cards. I was aiming more for the look of the terrariums and the scenes in them, and decided to add the few sequins just as an extra little something.

However with this last card I added some 4mm Sparkling Clear and some Sparkling Clear Snowflakes as well. This one being a winter scene and a bit more "simple" than the others it just seemed to perfect to add some more sequins and especially the snowflake ones!

I get asked a lot about where to purchase the supplies I use in my videos and blog posts. I list all the supplies I use at the end of my posts (below) or in the description box directly below my video on YouTube. If the products have little icons below the image it means there's more than one place it can be purchased. You can hover over the icons and it will tell you what store that link will take you to. Compensated affiliate links used when possible at no extra cost to you. Affiliate linking is what keeps my blog and YouTube channel up and running and enables me to work from home with my kids! I appreciate your support more than words can say!

I occasionally receive product for free from stores/manufacturer with no obligation on my part to use/review - I only use and share what I personally love. Everything else I purchase myself!

My purples for my card are much more "purple" than the more plummy colors of the swatches (and now I want to experiment and see if I can replicate more plummy colors.....):

The other day Cathy Zeilske (she designs the CZ Design products at SSS) posted a card on her Instagram that was inspired by a card I'd made a year and a half ago using the Simon Says Stamp Sketch Ranunculus stamp set. I hadn't used that set in a while and seeing her card got me inspired all over again - so I used the set to make my card for this challenge LOL!

I stamped and masked and heat embossed the images from the Sketch Ranunculus set onto Canson XL watercolor paper with SSS's Antique Gold Embossing Powder then coloured them in with my Clean Colour Real Brush Markers and a water brush.

I used the new SSS Take Care wafer dies for my sentiment, cutting them from Dark Chocolate card stock for the base layers and Bronze Glitter card stock for the top layer. I added some Lucy's Jewels in 2 different shades of purple to finish it off.

I finished off the inside of the card with a heat embossed sentiment from the Sketch Ranunculus stamp set and stamped the floral images with the Dark Chocolate ink and that was it!

February 18, 2018

Well after a couple of attempts I finally got this video uploaded and working! I swear tech issues have been plaguing me in one form or another the last few weeks. There's always something new to fix and/or figure out! I got it accomplished though so now I can share my card and video with y'all:

Those who know me know I REALLY like to make coffee-themed cards. However I do actually enjoy tea a lot too - I just rarely (if ever) make cards that are tea-themed!! However Honey Bee has this great tea set (and there's a coordinating die set here too) and as I was flipping through my patterned paper collection I came across this Doodlebug paper with the stacks of tea cups and the wheels started turning.

I stamped all the images onto Distress Watercolor card stock with Versafine Onyx Black ink and did some masking to create my "scene" and to stack all the cups. I then watercolored them all with Tombow Dual Brush markers and a water brush. My color combo was also inspired by the patterned paper and I used the paper on the card base and popped up the watercolor panel with foam tape.

The die cut sentiment is from Honey Bee's Gift Card Slots die set - I love the 2 sentiment wafer dies that are included in the set!

To finish off the inside of the card I stamped a sentiment from the Honey Bee Stamps Perfect Blend stamp set. I then took another patterned paper from the Doodlebug Cream & Sugar paper pack and ran it through my Gemini with one of the Gift Card Slots dies. So now it holds and frames a gift card and the card is done!

I get asked a lot about where to purchase the supplies I use in my videos and blog posts. I list all the supplies I use at the end of my posts (below) or in the description box directly below my video on YouTube. If the products have little icons below the image it means there's more than one place it can be purchased. You can hover over the icons and it will tell you what store that link will take you to. Compensated affiliate links used when possible at no extra cost to you. Affiliate linking is what keeps my blog and YouTube channel up and running and enables me to work from home with my kids! I appreciate your support more than words can say!

I occasionally receive product for free from stores/manufacturer with no obligation on my part to use/review - I only use and share what I personally love. Everything else I purchase myself!

I created a fun birthday card using My Favorite Things new Pure Innocence Birthday Girl and did some paper piecing for her dress.

I used MFT's Large Polka Dots stencil on the card base with Nuvo's Moonstone Glimmer Paste (SO pretty and sparkly in real life!). I then framed the Pure Innocence character with a Single Stitch Line Tag-Corner Rectangle Frame and added the die cut Hooray sentiment - both of which I coloured with Copic markers.

I finished off the inside of the card with a sentiment from the Birthday Girl stamp set and stamped the main image again with a light purple ink and that was it!

I get asked a lot about where to purchase the supplies I use in my videos and blog posts. I list all the supplies I use at the end of my posts (below) or in the description box directly below my video on YouTube. If the products have little icons below the image it means there's more than one place it can be purchased. You can hover over the icons and it will tell you what store that link will take you to. Compensated affiliate links used when possible at no extra cost to you. Affiliate linking is what keeps my blog and YouTube channel up and running and enables me to work from home with my kids! I appreciate your support more than words can say!

I occasionally receive product for free from stores/manufacturer with no obligation on my part to use/review - I only use and share what I personally love. Everything else I purchase myself!

Happy Friday!!! After some serious technical issues this week I am SO glad this week is almost over!! I did have a chance to make a quick and simple card using some of the goodies in the new Simon Says Stamp March Card Kit - if you missed my unboxing video of the kit you can check it out HERE:

I had a hard time choosing which stamp set (yes the kit comes with 2!!) to use from the March card kit - but ultimately decided to use this rubber boot floral image from the Showers and Flowers set. I love that it goes so well with some of the patterned papers in the kit!

I stamped the image and the sentiment onto some Distress watercolor card stock with SSS Intense Black ink then watercolored them with one of the SSS Daniel Smith Watercolor dot charts and my detail water brush. I used the Nuvo Aqua Shimmer pen to watercolor in the boots - in the video I'm able to show better the full on SPARKLE effect - love!!!

On the inside of the card I stamped another of the sentiments from the stamp set and added strips of the same patterned papers. I paired the card with the awesome khaki woodgrain envelope (also from the kit but I've got them linked below as well - I had to order a pack of them after seeing them in real life!!) and that was it!

I get asked a lot about where to purchase the supplies I use in my videos and blog posts. I list all the supplies I use at the end of my posts (below) or in the description box directly below my video on YouTube. If the products have little icons below the image it means there's more than one place it can be purchased. You can hover over the icons and it will tell you what store that link will take you to. Compensated affiliate links used when possible at no extra cost to you. Affiliate linking is what keeps my blog and YouTube channel up and running and enables me to work from home with my kids! I appreciate your support more than words can say!

I occasionally receive product for free from stores/manufacturer with no obligation on my part to use/review - I only use and share what I personally love. Everything else I purchase myself!

I get asked a lot about where to purchase the supplies I use in my videos and blog posts. I list all the supplies I use at the end of my posts (below) or in the description box directly below my video on YouTube. If the products have little icons below the image it means there's more than one place it can be purchased. You can hover over the icons and it will tell you what store that link will take you to. Compensated affiliate links used when possible at no extra cost to you. Affiliate linking is what keeps my blog and YouTube channel up and running and enables me to work from home with my kids! I appreciate your support more than words can say!

I occasionally receive product for free from stores/manufacturer with no obligation on my part to use/review - I only use and share what I personally love. Everything else I purchase myself!

February 12, 2018

Heyyyyy everyone! After a rather rough start to the week (nothing like -43C to start the day and a sick kid throwing up to wake up to) I feel like things are settling down now that Monday is almost over LOL! The weather is FINALLY supposed to warm up and my kid seems to have got everything out of her system so we can hopefully end the day on a much more positive note.

I have one more card for my Valentine series this year - tho like I say in the video this could be an Anniversary/Special Occasion/Birthday/Whenever card really - just switch up the sentiments on the inside!

I pulled out Lawn Fawns Turn Me On mini stamp set that I got last year? I think it was released last year (I hoard so much Lawn Fawn it's getting hard to remember who/what/when LOL) - anyway I had the idea to make the light bulb actually light up. Then decided to make it into a masculine Valentine's Day card because I think it's hilarious.

I heat embossed the light bulb on vellum and coloured the back of it with Copic Markers (Y19, C6) and used the coordinating wafer die to cut the "window" in the plaid patterned paper. The ligh switch was stamped onto Neenah Classic Crest Solar White 80lb card stock with MFT Extreme Black ink and shaded with Copics (C4, C2, C0 and 0).

The best part about this card? When you press on the light switch the bulb actually lights up. I used my Chibitronics and created the circuit and there's a light and battery sandwiched under the blue patterned paper. It's all way easier to see and explain in the video!

I finished off the inside of the card with sentiments from Lawn Fawn's Happy Happy Happy stamp set and coordinating dies and that was it!

I get asked a lot about where to purchase the supplies I use in my videos and blog posts. I list all the supplies I use at the end of my posts (below) or in the description box directly below my video on YouTube. If the products have little icons below the image it means there's more than one place it can be purchased. You can hover over the icons and it will tell you what store that link will take you to. Compensated affiliate links used when possible at no extra cost to you. Affiliate linking is what keeps my blog and YouTube channel up and running and enables me to work from home with my kids! I appreciate your support more than words can say!

I occasionally receive product for free from stores/manufacturer with no obligation on my part to use/review - I only use and share what I personally love. Everything else I purchase myself!

February 11, 2018

Hello everyone! Another chatty haul video - I filmed this while still battling the latest cold (tho I'm feeling a LOT better now - thanks for all the well wishes - not 100% but so SO much better) - apologies for the sniffling.

Canada Post and USPS are still a mess it seems - some of it is weather-related I'm sure. I AM finally receiving orders (hence the haul videos) so things aren't getting lost in transit (some of what I showed today I honestly wondered if they'd up and disappeared - tracking through Canada Post hasn't been working at all since the holidays it seems).

I get asked a lot about where to purchase the supplies I use in my videos and blog posts. I list all the supplies I use at the end of my posts (below) or in the description box directly below my video on YouTube. If the products have little icons below the image it means there's more than one place it can be purchased. You can hover over the icons and it will tell you what store that link will take you to. Compensated affiliate links used when possible at no extra cost to you. Affiliate linking is what keeps my blog and YouTube channel up and running and enables me to work from home with my kids! I appreciate your support more than words can say!

I occasionally receive product for free from stores/manufacturer with no obligation on my part to use/review - I only use and share what I personally love. Everything else I purchase myself!

February 10, 2018

So while I was playing with the Glimmer (Glitter) pastes after I initially opened a couple of them I made a background with one of them and decided I NEEDED to make a card out of it. I didn't want the background to go waste and since it was hearts and pink and red I decided to use it now and make another Valentine card. I really love this week's Color Throwdown challenge (more on that HERE) so I went with those colors again:

I had used Tonic's Garnet Red Glimmer paste on Simon Says Stamp Cotton Candy card stock with SSS's Drawn Hearts Stencil. That became the background of my card and I created a heart shaped "frame" from SSS Ivory card stock with SSS Nested Hearts wafer die and MFT's A2 Rectangle Stax Set 2 Die-namics.

I used the Picture Book Heart Bear Wafer die and die cut him from several SSS card stock colors which I'd run through my Xyron so that the pieces all had adhesive on them and made it all quick and easy to assemble.

The sentiment is from the SSS CZ Design Just Words No 01 wafer die set that I'd die cut 3 times from black card stock and stacked together for more dimension.

I finished off the inside of my card with a stamped sentiment from the SSS Handwritten Love stamp set and that was it!

I get asked a lot about where to purchase the supplies I use in my videos and blog posts. I list all the supplies I use at the end of my posts (below) or in the description box directly below my video on YouTube. If the products have little icons below the image it means there's more than one place it can be purchased. You can hover over the icons and it will tell you what store that link will take you to. Compensated affiliate links used when possible at no extra cost to you. Affiliate linking is what keeps my blog and YouTube channel up and running and enables me to work from home with my kids! I appreciate your support more than words can say!

I occasionally receive product for free from stores/manufacturer with no obligation on my part to use/review - I only use and share what I personally love. Everything else I purchase myself!